This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com

Valentine’s Day: Digital expressions of love rise

62 per cent of people said they would use technology or social media to express their love on Valentine's Day.

A woman holding a heart-shaped balloon walks with her partner at a residential area in Beijing February 14, 2013. (JASON LEE / REUTERS)

By Patricia ReaneyReuters

Thu., Feb. 14, 2013

Not everyone will be struck by Cupid's arrow on Valentine's Day, but many people will be popping the question and proposing to their loved one, according to a new survey.

Six million Americans are expecting or planning a marriage proposal on Valentine's Day, two million more than last year, and the average price of a ring to seal the deal will be $2,410 U.S., data from American Express showed.

In line with the digital times, 62 per cent of people said they would use technology or social media to express their love on Valentine's Day.

Romantic texts and postings or messages are expected to be the most popular electronic way of saying “I love you,” followed by email and eCards.

Seven per cent of people planned to express their love in 140 characters or less in a heartfelt tweet.

Article Continued Below

“This idea of romance and expressing yourself is a little bit more public than it might have been in the past when it was just between two people,” said Melanie Backs, the manager of public affairs at American Express.

“We're proclaiming everything else in our day-to-day lives on social media and love is not different.”

Backs said the number of expected proposals is a significant boost from last year.

“We were surprised, a little bit, that optimism is reigning on Valentine's Day, especially since the number of people saying they will be spending on the day is down this year,” Backs said.

Although fewer people will be buying Valentine gifts this year — 69 per cent compared to 76 per cent in 2012 — those who are expected to spend about $239, up from $196 last year.

“Couples are spending more this year and they are driving the majority of the spending,” said Backs.

Most people will buy a card for their Valentine but 32 per cent of the roughly 2,000 adults questioned in the poll said they would opt for flowers, 17 per cent were planning to buy jewelry and only 21 per cent would give a gift card or cash.

Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and red roses will be in abundance, but not everyone feels romantic about the day.

Slightly more than 30 per cent of women think it is overrated and 34 consider it a fun holiday but not a major occasion. Only 35 per cent believe it is an important day for their relationship.

Delivered dailyThe Morning Headlines Newsletter

The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5E 1E6. You can unsubscribe at any time. Please contact us or see our privacy policy for more information.

More from the Toronto Star & Partners

LOADING

Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or distribution of this content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. To order copies of Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com